Refrigerating container



May 7, 1929. E. s. GRAHAM ET AL 1,711,840

REFRIGERATING CONTAINER Filed April 29, 1927 2 sheets-sheetl 1 xi, acti?? Lf) @QT "61 l m fb C.) QmsW/Q@ AWMWAY/AW My 7, 1929. E. s. GRAHAM ET AL 1,711,840

REFRIGERATING CONTAINER Filed April '29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 11| 1 l l l (l 0) HVFQVVVVVVVVVHIV ITV W 'erably formed of galvanized sheet metall? Patented May y7, 1929.

UNITED ySTATES 1,111,840 PATENT OFFICE.y ,y

EARL S.` GRAHAM AND EARL S. GRAHAM, JR., OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

REFRIGRATING CONTAINER.

Application led April 29, 1927. Serial No. 187,634.

. This invention relates to new and useful improvements in refrigerating containers.

The object of the invention is to providea container, tank, body or receptacle, wherein amplified cooling surfaces are provided between the refrigerant compartment and the lstorage compartment, thus making f0.1` a prolonged lrefrigerating period with a glven quantity of refrigerant. Y

A further object of the invention is to confine the heat exchange to a restricted space completely surrounding the storage c0m' partment.

Another object equip the wall separating the refrigerant compartment from the'storage compartment with a plurality of longitudinal ns constructed of a comparatively thin' metal suitable for the purpose, whereby a maximum heat exchange is effected and a constant low temperature, approximating the freezmg point of water, is maintained in the storage compartment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide|longitudinal iins which extend transversely substantially from the storage compartment to the refrigerant compartment for the purpose of conducting heat and cold direct from one compartment to the other,

but over greatly amplified surfaces, vwhereby an effective exchange is carried out and a greater prolonged refrigerating period is maintained in the storage compartment than is had with the usual container.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described; together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 and showing a container constructed in accordance with the invention and in position in a cabinet,

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig 1, and

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views of respective modified forms in which the invention may be carried out.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a tank which may be of any suitable shape and which we have shown 1n Figs. 1 and 2 as rectangular in plan. The tank is isfof the invention is to` illustrating a practical use for the container.

Within the tank are formed a storage compartment A'and a refrigerant compartment B. These compartments are defined and separated by a continuous heat exchange wall C'. This wall preferably extends from the bot-tom of the tank to the topv portion thereof. The wall may be given various shapes in plan and its particular construction may vary in accordance with the form in which it is employed.

In Figs. 1 and 2 we have shown the wall C as circular and formed of comparatively thin sheet metal bent upon itself at short intervals to form inwardly directed radial tins 16 connected by short webs 17 constituting the outer surface .of the wall. The fins and the webs extend vertically and the inner vertical ends o f the fins are closed, while their outer vertical ends, between the webs, are open. Very satisfactory results have been yobtained by the use 0f sheet copper in forming thewall C. The wall isof course, made continuous circumferentially, the edges of the sheets being suitably welded, soldered, or otherwise secured together.

Brine or any other suitable refrigerant is placed in the compartment B of the tank 10 and, of course, a fluid-tight joint is made at the bottomof the w-all C so that this fluid cannot flow into the compartment A. In Fig. 2 a cap ring 18 is fastened on the u per end of the wall C so as to prevent anytliing from falling down into the spaces between the fins and also to protect the upper edges from injury. Suitable bracesy 19 extend from the webs1-7 to the side walls of the tank 10 for holding the wall C- in place.

The liquid refrigerant contained in the compartment B ywill flow into the fins 16 and will also contact with the webs 17. Each iin comprising two walls, each substantially equal in width to the webs 17, it is obvious that approximately twice as much surface is exposed to the refrigerant by the fins as is exposed by the webs. It is also pointed'out that three times as much sur-- Substantially the same surface area of the y wall C is exposed in the compartment A as is exposed in the compartment B and, therefore, the heat generated by the commodity containedl in the compartment A is effectively dissipated or radiated by the tins and webs. By the use of thin metal, the ns and webs are chilled by the refrigerant so that the heat radiation inthe compartment A is so effectively absorbed as to reduce the temperature in said compartment A to approximately that of the compartment B. It is obvious that the amplified surface area provided by the iins 16 and the webs 17 will be so extensive as to hold down the generation of'heat and thereby prolong the period of refrigeration. A metal can or any other commodity may be placed in the compartment A and ice-cream, or anyother product, may be maintained at a proper temperature for a greatly increased period of time than is possible with the ordinary containers.

In Fig. 3 is shown a Jform of container in which the same tank 10 is employed, but the wall C is composed of a continuous outer cylinder 20 to the inner surface of which a plurality of .inwardly directed vertical ins 2l are secured. These tins are preferably L- shaped in plan so that they mal be more `readily fastened to the cylinder, ut this is not essential. These inwardly directed fins are spaced in comparatively close order and with the cylinder will function the same as the fins 16 and webs 17. As a further illustration ofthe many -forrns in which the invention may beA carried out, fins 22 are shown'in Figf4 as applied to the outer side of a rectangular box 20 instead of the inner side, in which case the compartments 'will be reversed. *l

In Fig. 5.a rectangular tank l0 is shown and the compartment B is separated from the compartment A by a rectangular" wall C. This wall comprises vertical outer plates 23 having Vertical L-shaped tins 24 secured to its inner surface, said fins being similar to the fins 21 and 22 and spaced accordingly. The plates 23 are held by braces 25 connected with the tank 10. By making the wall C rectangular, the storage compartment 1s enlarged andthe r'efrigerating surface is 1ncreased.

It is important that the fins be spaced close enough to give suiiicient amplification of the refrigerating surfaceas to secure the desired prolongation of the refrigerating period. The fact that the refrigerating liquid comes in direct contact with the elements of the wall C is, oi' course, responsible `for the success of the container.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations, may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What ywe claim, is:

1. In a refrigerating container, a tank,

and a vertical storage container spaced from the walls of the tank and open at'its opposite ends with its lower end secured to the bottom of the tank, the wall of said container being formed with a continuous series of radially directed 'fins and presenting a substantially plane surface at the space next the tan f 2. In a refrigerating container, a tank, a

storage container spaced from the wall of the tank and having its wall formed from a continuous sheet bent upon itself to produce a series of inwardly directed tins havmg separated walls disposedysolely within the container and a substantially plane out- `er surface, an annular cover seated upon the upper end of said sheet to enclose said fins,

and braces extending from the container to the tank.

In testilnony whereof we aliix our signatures.

EARL S. GRAHAM. EARL S. GRAHAM, JR. 

